Journal
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Volume 189, Issue -, Pages 14-21Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.12.027
Keywords
Runoff coefficient; Urban artificial areas; Rainwater harvesting; Rainfall events; Urban mobility
Categories
Funding
- Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [CTM2010-17365]
- Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through the Maria de Maeztu program for Units of Excellence in RD [MDM-2015-0552]
- Catalan government
- Spanish government
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Rainwater harvesting might help to achieve self-sufficiency, but it must comply with health standards. We studied the runoff quantity and quality harvested from seven urban surfaces in a university campus in Barcelona according to their use (pedestrian or motorized mobility) and materials (concrete, asphalt and slabs). An experimental rainwater harvesting system was used to collect the runoff resulting from a set of rainfall events. We estimated the runoff coefficient and initial abstraction of each surface and analyzed the physicochemical and microbiological properties, and hydrocarbon and metal content of the samples. Rainfall intensity, surface material and state of conservation were essential parameters. Because of low rainfall intensity and surface degradation, the runoff coefficient was variable, with a minimum of 0.41. Concrete had the best quality, whereas weathering and particulate matter deposition led to worse quality in asphalt areas. Physicochemical runoff quality was outstanding when compared to superficial and underground water. Microorganisms were identified in the samples (>1 CFU/100 mL) and treatment is required to meet human consumption standards. Motorized traffic mostly affects the presence of metals such as zinc (31.7 mu g/L). In the future, sustainable mobility patterns might result in improved rainwater quality standards. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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